easySales Executive interview question
A prospect is rude to you on a cold call. How do you handle it?
What the interviewer wants to hear
- Stay calm and polite
- Acknowledge their time and frustration
- Offer to end or reschedule
- Do not take it personally
- Log the outcome and move on
Model answer
I stay calm and polite, because their reaction is usually about their day, not me. I would say something like, "Sorry for interrupting, it sounds like a bad time. Would you prefer I call back another day, or should I not call again?" That respects their time and often softens the conversation; some people even apologise and give me a minute. If they ask me not to call, I record that in the CRM and make sure no one else contacts them. Then I take a short breath and make the next call. I do not let one rude call affect the next one. Over time I also look at whether my timing or opener could be improved so fewer calls start badly.
Can you answer it under time pressure?
Take a timed easy round and get scored on every answer.
More easy Sales Executive questions
- Why do you want to work in sales?
- Walk me through the main stages of a typical B2B sales process.
- How do you deal with rejection, for example when a prospect hangs up on you?
- How do you prepare for a first call with a new prospect?
- In your view, what qualities make a great Sales Executive?
- Sell me this pen.
- How do you follow up with prospects without being annoying?
- How would you learn our product quickly enough to start selling?
- How do you plan and organise your week as a salesperson?